NEWS FLASH

Top Syrian Diplomat In London Reportedly Defects | The British Foreign Office said today that Syrian charge d’affaires Khaled Ayoubi, the highest-ranking Syrian diplomat in London, has abandoned his post. Ayoubi “has told us that he is no longer willing to represent a regime that has committed such violent and oppressive acts against its own people, and is therefore unable to continue in his position,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement. “His departure is another blow to the Assad regime.”